不久前，在位于广东东莞的中国散裂中子源，我国首台高能直接几何非弹性中子散射飞行时间谱仪正式 完成验收并交付使用。这台由中山大学和散裂中子源科学中心联合研制建设的大型科研仪器，用于观测 物质微观世界的结构与动力学性质，填补了我国百毫电子伏以上非弹性中子散射的空白。 "如果把常规的科学仪器比作人眼，那么这台谱仪就是一台'超级相机'，能够精准捕捉物质内部原子、 分子在皮秒（万亿分之一秒）时间尺度下的动态，记录下原子和分子振动、旋转、传递能量的微观过 程。"建设团队成员、中山大学物理学院副教授刘新智说，"就像是为物质微观世界拍高清'纪录片'。" "超级相机"如何让微观世界纤毫毕现？刘新智介绍，这台"超级相机"的工作原理是通过测量物质的自旋 波和声子谱等动力学性质，研究构成物质的原子之间微观相互作用。因此，科学家并非使用仪器直接观 测成像，而是利用中子不带电、穿透力强的特性，探测物质内部的微观运动——当中子与物质中的原子 核或电子发生"非弹性碰撞"时，中子会改变速度与方向，通过这些变化可以反推出物质内部的动态信 息。 中山大学物理学院副院长王猛介绍，这台谱仪可以获取散射后中子的空间分布信息和能量变化，在动量 与能量空间 ...

Core Viewpoint - The successful completion and delivery of China's first high-energy direct geometry inelastic neutron scattering time-of-flight spectrometer marks a significant advancement in the observation of the microscopic structure and dynamic properties of materials, filling a gap in inelastic neutron scattering above 100 meV in China [1][2]. Group 1: Instrument Overview - The spectrometer, developed by Sun Yat-sen University and the China Spallation Neutron Source, is likened to a "super camera" that captures dynamic processes of atomic and molecular vibrations and rotations on a picosecond timescale [1]. - It operates by measuring the spin waves and phonon spectra of materials, utilizing the non-charged and penetrating nature of neutrons to probe microscopic movements within materials [1][2]. Group 2: Applications and Research Support - The instrument can provide spatial distribution and energy change information of scattered neutrons, aiding in the study of magnetic atomic correlations within materials, thus supporting foundational research across physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science [2]. - In high-temperature superconductivity research, the spectrometer can accurately measure spin fluctuations and phonon density of states in superconductors, providing critical experimental evidence for understanding high-temperature superconducting mechanisms [2]. - In the field of energy materials, it can measure the spatial distribution of phonon spectra in thermoelectric materials, guiding the design of higher-performance thermoelectric materials [2]. - In biomedicine, neutron scattering technology allows scientists to study the motion of biomolecules under conditions closer to physiological environments, opening new avenues for drug development [2]. Group 3: Development Process - The construction of the spectrometer began in 2019 after a strategic cooperation agreement was signed in 2017, following two years of feasibility studies and research [3]. - The development involved collaboration among multiple technical teams to overcome challenges in key components such as the neutron chopper and large vacuum scattering chamber [3]. - After two years of debugging, the spectrometer has achieved internationally leading performance levels, capable of rapid switching between multi-wavelength and single-wavelength modes, and providing environments for a wide range of inelastic neutron scattering experiments [3]. - The "super camera" will be open for use by domestic and international researchers, serving national strategic needs and fostering the development of top-tier professionals [3].

Core Viewpoint - The successful acceptance of China's first high-energy direct geometry inelastic neutron scattering time-of-flight spectrometer fills a significant gap in the country's capabilities for inelastic neutron scattering above 100 meV, enabling advanced studies of material's microscopic structures and dynamic properties [2][3]. Group 1: Instrument Capabilities - The high-energy inelastic neutron scattering spectrometer can measure both the spatial distribution and energy changes of scattered neutrons, allowing for the analysis of material's microscopic dynamic behaviors in momentum and energy space [3]. - It operates with an incident neutron energy range of 10-1500 meV, achieving an optimal energy resolution of 3% for dynamic excitation signals [3]. - The spectrometer supports a wide temperature range of 1.5-800 K and a magnetic field environment of up to 7T, covering most experimental scenarios for inelastic neutron scattering [3]. Group 2: Scientific Value - In high-temperature superconductivity research, the spectrometer can accurately measure spin fluctuations in superconductors, analyze their relationship with superconductivity, and provide critical experimental evidence for understanding high-temperature superconducting mechanisms [4]. - In the field of energy materials, it can track the diffusion processes of atoms and ions in lithium batteries and hydrogen storage materials, offering theoretical guidance for designing higher-performance energy materials [4]. - In biomedicine, the spectrometer enables the study of the dynamic behavior of biological macromolecules like proteins under near-physiological conditions, paving the way for new drug development [4]. Group 3: Future Prospects - The construction team of the spectrometer has initiated the development of a multi-field coupling loading analysis module, supported by national major scientific instrument development projects [4]. - With its acceptance and upcoming user access, the spectrometer is set to embark on a journey of scientific exploration, helping scientists uncover more mysteries of nature and providing strong support for the development of fundamental disciplines such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology [4].